Record changer mechanism



Sept. 7, 1943. i R. A. BEcwAR 2,328,703 RECORD CHANGER MECHANISM Filed June 15, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 aw mz Sept. 7', 1943. R. A, BECWAR 2,328,703

RECORD CHANGER MECHANISM I v 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 7, 1943.

I R. A. BECWAR RECORD CHANGER MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed J une 1:5, 1941 p 1943.. R. A. BECWAR 2,328,703

RECORD CHANGER MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 7 Filed June 13; 1941 r 'v j a Patented Sept. 7, 19th UNITED zsza'zes PATENT OFFICE naoonn it GER MECHANISM .12 (Claims. (QR. id-Al) win Manufactg This invention relates generally to a phonograph for automatically playing a plurality of records in succession and in particular to the record changing means for such phonograph.

It is an object of this invention to provide imunit including a rotatably supported eccentric record ejector portion. 1

A further object of this invention is to provide improved record changing means having a clutch unit adapted for operative engagement with a continuously rotating driving member and selectively operated by mechanically actuated means to positively control the operating cycle of the record changing means.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved record changing mechanism which is simple in design, compact and rugged in construction, comprised of a minimum of parts requiring adjustment, and eflicient and positive in operation.

A feature of this invention is found in the provision of a. record releasing unit having an oscillating ejector portion which is in driven engagement with a rotatable cam member directly through an oscillated operating arm.

Yet another feature of this invention is found in the provision of record changing means having a clutch unit selectively engageable with a continuously rotating member and mechanically actuated by spring tensioned means to define the cycle of operation of the record changing means.

A still further feature of this invention is found in the provision of record changing means for an automatic phonograph having rotary cam means in continuous engagement with a friction gear adapted to be pivotally moved into and out of frictional engagement with a continuously rotating driving member, with the operating positions of the friction gear being selectively deter mined and retained by means including a pair of. pivoted and relatively movable control members, yieldably connected together for cooperative action, and operatively associated with the rotary cam means and tone arm for the phonograph so as to be responsive in operation to the relative position of such latter two elements.

Further objects, features, and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the" record changing means of this invention in its assembledposition in a phonograph with parts of the phonograph being removed for clarity;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary diagrammatic plan view oilthe clutch unit for the rotary operating cam means;

Fig. 3 is illustrated similarly to Fig. 2 and shows parts thereof in a changed position;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line d 3 in Fig. 2 showing the assembly for relative movement of the actuating arms for the clutch unit;

Fig.5 is a plan view showing the assembly of a modified form of actuating arms for the clutch unit;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view as seen along the line t@ in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a front view partly in section-showing the complete assembly of the record releasing means;

Figs. 8 and 9 are fragmentary views of the record releasing means illustrated similarly to Fig. 7 and showing changed positions of parts thereof;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line lfi-l ii in Fig. '7 N Fig. 11 is a fragmentary plan view of an edge support for the records to be played;

Fig. 12 is a bottom view of the single operating cam'used in the record changing mechanism;

Fig. 13 is a sectional view taken along the line l3-l3 in Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the assembly relation of the operating cam and tone arm; and

Fig. 15 is a plan sectional view as seen along the line l5-i5 in Fig. 14.

The record changing means of this invention is illustrated with a phonograph having a. stack of unplayed records supported above the turntable at their centers on a tubular stationary centering pin extending upwardly from the turntable, and at their rims on an edge'support. A

record ejecting unit having an eccentric oscillating ejector portion for successively releasingthe unplayed records into a playing position, is rotatably mounted in the stationary centering pin, with a portion thereof extending below the turntable for operative engagement with a segmental gear portion formed on one end of an operating arm, the opposite end of the arm being operatively associated with a rotary cam which is adapted to oscillate the segmental gear portion to in turn operate the record ejecting means. The tone arm for the phonograph is also operated by the rotary cam in a predetermined sequence relative to the record releasing means.

The rotary cam, during the playing of a record,-

is stationary and is rotated through substantially a complete r'evoiution, when a record is being changed, by means including a friction gear in continuous operative engagement therewith and arranged for pivotal movement into and out of an engaging position with the phonograph turntable. A selective pivotal movement of the gear into and out of an engaged position with the turntable is accomplished by mechanical actuating means operatively associated with both the rotary cam and .the tone arm to define the angular displacement of the cam and hence a comlete cycle of operation of the record changing mechanism.

'Witl reference to the drawings, there is shown in Piggy; and 7 an automatic phonograph including a top or mounting plate I5, having a turntable I6 ro'tatably supported thereon as by a bearing unit I1. The turntable is driven by a motor I8 having a control switch I4 located on the top plate I and including a rubber gear I9 on the shaft thereof in frictional engagement with a rubber gear 2|, which in turn is in frictional engagement with the inner periphery of the rim 22 of the turntable for driving the same, The stack of records 23 to be played in supported directly above the turntable by means including a stationary centering pin or member 24 which is mounted on the top plate I5 by supporting means designated generally as 26, and extends upwardly from the turntable, the bearing -unit I1 being positioned about the supporting means 26. 7

As shown best in Fig. '7, the centering member 24 is of tubular construction and has fitted therein at its upper'end a bearing member 21 having a reduced portion inserted within the centering pin, and a body portion extending upwardly from the top of the pin and concentric therewith. The bearing 21 is formed axially thereof with an eccentric bore for receiving therein a record ejector unit comprising a tubular stem or shank 28 having its upper end 29 projecting upwardly from the bearing member 21, and its lower end 3I extended through the centering pin 24 and supporting means 26. Thus as is clearly evident in Fig. 7 the tubular stem 28 is rotatably supported at its upper end 29 in the bearing 21 and at its lower end 3| in the post supporting means 26. An eccentric ejector portion 33 is mounted on the tube 28 above the member 21 so as to be moved into and out of a position concentric with the enlarged portion of the bearing member 21 and hence with the centering pin 24 on rotation of the tube 28. A pinion gear 32 in operative engagement with an operating arm 25 is mounted at the end 3| for a purpose to be later fully described.

The tubular stem 23 of the record ejector unit in turn rotatably supports therein a pin or axis member 34 which extends completely therethrough. An eccentric cap member 36 is mounted on the upper end of thepin 34 for concurrent movement with the pin, the lower end of the eccentric cap or sleeve 36 having a cavity 38 therein adapted to fit over the upper end of the tube 28, this construction serving to. facilitate the assembly of the eccentric cap relative to the centering pin 24 and the ejector portion 33. By virtue of the rotatable support of the pin 34 in the tubular stem 28 of the ejector un", the eccentric cap is movable into and out of a position concentric with the centering pin 24, these positions being defined by means now to be described.

The lower projecting end 39 of the pin 34 is of fiat form (Figs. 7 and 10) and positioned between a pair of spaced-fiat spring members 4| which are secured to a mounting bracket 42 supported from the top plate I5. On engagement of the fiat sides of the end portidn 39 with the inner sides of the spring members 4|, the pin 34 is releasably locked against further rotation. These releasable locking positions, of course, occur substantially 180 degrees apart, and correspond to the two operating positions of the eccentric cap 36.

When the cap 36 is positioned out of concentricity with the pin 24 the stack of records 23 positioned thereabout are aligned for support at their centers on the ejector portion 33, which portion is normally positioned concentric with the pin 24. These relative positions of the cap 36 and ejector portion 33 are shown in Fig. 7. The records 23 are further supported at their edges by an edge support or pedestal (Fig. '11) having a record supporting ledge 44 mounted on, but offset relative to a shaft 46 which is rotatably supported on the mounting plate .I5 and will be later noted. The ledge 44 is rotatable through substantially I80 degrees to edge supporting positions for either a stack of lO-inch or 12-inch records, the position r drop about the ejector portion 33 and into a center-supported position on the top of the hearing member 21.

On the return of the ejector portion 33 to its position shown in Fig. 7, the lowermost record R is ejected or pushed from the top of the bearing 21 and from the ledge 44 into a centering position relative to the pin 24 as indicated in dotted lines to permit its being dropped into a playing position on the turntable I6. When the ejector portion 33 is returned to its position in Fig. '7, the next successive bottom record R is supported directly thereon, its release into a playing position being accomplished in the same manner as above described for the record R. On the completion of the playing of all of the records in the stack 23, the eccentric member 35 is manually moved to its position concentric with the pin 24, as shown in Fig; 9, whereby all of the tric portion 33 in the releasing of a record into a playing position, is accomplished by means ofthe bent operating arm 25 which is pivotally supported at the bend therein by axis means 43 mounted on the lower side of the top plate I5 (Fig. 1). One end 40 of thearm 25 is formed with a segmental gear portion 45 in meshing engagement with the gear 32, its opposite end being provided with a roller or cam follower 41 operatively I unit 49, which is rotatable on a stub shaft supported from the lower side of the mounting plate i5. As is clearly shown in Fig. 12, the cam track 48 is substantially symmetrical with respect to the cam diameter D so that the arm end 40 is moved through one complete oscillation in response to a rotation of the cam '49 of one revolution. Because of this oscillatory movement of the arm end it and its operative engagement with the gear 32,- the ejector portion 33 is operated back and forth through a defined angular distance on each rotation of the cam 49, with the'rest position of the cam corresponding to the position of the portion it concentric with the centering pin N.

In the operation of the record changing mechanism for an automatic phonograph it is well known that the operation of the record releasing means usually occurs in a timed relation relative to the operation of the phonograph tone arm, so that the tone arm generally is in a position to one side of the turntable when an unplayed record is being placed thereon. In other words, on the completion of playing of a record, the tone arm is both lifted and moved outwardly from the played record before a new record is put into a playing position. The means in the present .invention for accomplishing this predetermined operation of the tone arm is best shown in Figs. 1 and 14. The tone arm or pick-up unit 52 is rotatably supported. on the mounting plate it, by means designated generally as A, and is provided at itspivot or swinging point with a vertically movable lifting pin 53 having its upper end Ed in operative engagement with the tone arm pick-up unit so that a lifting of the pin vertically in turn lifts the pick-up unit from a record in playing position. Lowering of the pin, of course, lowers the pick-up unit into a playing position. The lower end L of the pin 53 is in riding engagement with a fiat circular cam track 55 provided on the top side of the cam re. The cam track 55' is formed with a gradually recessed or depressed portion 51 having a low spot 53 substantially centrally thereof, the positioning of the lower end of the pin 553 in the low spot 5% indicating a playing position of the tone arm 52. This position of the pin 53 and tone arm is shown in Figs. 1 and 14. Thus as the cam 39 is rotated relative to the pin 53, movement of the low portion 58 from under the pin 53 provides for a, gradual lifting of the pick-up unit from the record in playing position, with the pickup unit being retained in a raised position so long as the pin 53 rides on the flat surface of the cam track 56, the pick-up unit, of course, being lowered when the low spot 58 is again rotated thereunder.

The means providing for a pivotal swinging movement of the tone arm 52 includes a rocker arm 59 (Figs. 1, l4, and mounted on the tone arm lifting pin 53 for pivotal movement concur-v rently therewith and having a portion 55 pivotally connected to one end E of a link or arm member 65 to be later described. A second end E on the .arm 64 oppositely arranged from the end E has a cam follower or roller 5! thereon operatively associated with an axially extending cam track 63 formed on the cam member 49. On rotation of the cam 49 engagement of the track 83 with the pin SI pivotally moves the tone arm 52 in a predetermined direction against the pressure of a biasing spring 80, the cam tracks 83 and 56 being relatively arranged so that the pick-up unit 52 is held in'a raised position by 5 the pin 53 when the tone arm is pivotally moved by the cam track 63.

,The link member 64 at a third end 86 thereof is formed with a.- slot 61 having a pin 68 slidably movable therein (Fig. 15). The pin 68 is sup- 10 ported on a disc member 69,- which in turn is mounted on the lower end of the shaft 48 of the record edge support, previously described. On rotation of the ledge 44 to a position for supporting either 10 or 12-inch records, the disc 691s concurrently rotated to in turn actuate the arm end E to change the position of'the cam follower Si relative to the cam track t3. These changed positions, as indicated in full and dot-dash lines in Fig. 15, are in correspondence with the size of the records to be played and are defined by the engagement of a pivot? for a pivoted springpressed member 62 with corresponding oppositely arranged recesses WA in the disc 69. It is apparent, of course, that the change in the position of the roller 5i change its engaging position on the cam track 63 and hence the timed actuation of the tone arm in the record changing cycle of operation. By virtue of this assembly the pivotal movement of the tone arm 52 relative to the outer edge of the turntable It is controlled in correspondence with the size of the records to be played.

From the above description and consideration of Figs. 1, 12 and 13, it is seen that all of the cam tracks it, St, and M are integrally formed on the single cam member 69 and are all arranged relative. to each other so that on one complete revolution of the cam, after a record has been played, the tone arm is lifted and removed from no such played record prior to theactuation of the record ejector unit by the operating arm 25, and is lowered on the new record after it is in a playing position. Thus during the playing of a record the cam 49 is stationary, its rotation through one revolution occurring and being controlled, after the record has been played, bythe provision of means now to be fully described:

The cam id is formed with a peripherallyextending rim ii (Figs. 1, l2, and 13) having teeth thereon in engagement with a gear i2 rotatable on a bracket unit it which is pivotally supported at one end on the cam shaft iii. The gear '62 in turn engages a pinion id mounted on one end of a shaft it rotatably supported in the bracket unit 73 and having a rubber gear 'i'i mounted at its opposite end. The toothed rim ii, and gears .12, It and Ti are in continuous operating engagement, with the gears 72, id and Ti being pivotally movable concurrently with the bracket unit it about the cam shaft M. The rubber gear 11, is frictionally engageable with the table rim 22, and movable into and out of engagement therewith on pivotal movement of the bracket unit '73. By virtue of the continuous engagement of the rubber gear '11 with the cam ea, it is clearly apparent that engagement of the gear 7 11 with the inner periphery of the table rim 2? immediately rotates the. cam, so that the bracket and gear assemblyserves as a clutch means for the turntable I8. Because of the relative assem- .bly of these parts all of the record changing a record is entirely accomplished during the rotation of the cam 48 through one revolution.

Since the cam is rotated when thegear 11 is.

in engagement with the table rim,22, it is apparent that the duration of this engagement controls directly the angular movement of the cam 48. To define the angular displacement of the cam 48 throughone revolution and hence the selective engagement of the gear 11 .with the table rim 22 there is provided means including a pair of relatively movable actuating or control arms 18 and 18 (Figs. l-4) which are pivotally supported on a common axis 8| mounted in the top plate I5. Arms 18 and 18 are made by die casting with the arm 18 being of bent form with a hub 82 (Fig. 4) at-the bend having a peripheral recess or cut away portion 83 at one end thereof of a predetermined angular extent. One end 84 of the arm 18 extends away from the cam 48 and has a pin 86 mounted thereon which is adapted to be inserted for slidable engagement in a slot 81 formed in a lug or projection 88 on the bracket unit 13. The opposite end 88 of arm 18 has a roller or follower portion '8I operatively engageable with an axially extending cam track 82 on the cam 48 (Figs. 1 and 13). The cam track 82 is of circular contour and formed with a low spot or recess 88 for a purpose to be later explained. The arm 18 is substantially straight longitudinally thereof and has a hub 83 at one end (Fig. 4) provided with an axially extending lug or stop portion 84 which is positioned within the recess 83 on the hub 82 of the arm 18. Thus when the arms 18 and 18 are in their assembled positions on the shaft 8|, relative pivotal movement therebetween is limited by the engagement of the stop portion 84 'with the sides S and S of the recess 83. The end 85 of the arm 18 has a latch or looking portion 85 bent upwardly away from the cam 48 for releasably engaging a catch 88 formed on the leg 15 of a trip or crank arm '88 to be later described. Positioned inwardly from the latch portion 85 is a roller or cam follower 81 operatively engageable with a segmental cam track '88 formed integrally with the cam track 83 'but projected upwardly' therefrom, so that the roller '81,is engageable only with the segmental cam track 88.

From a consideration of Figs. 2 and 3, therefore, it is seen that the arm ends ,88 and 85 diverge outwardly from each other and in a direction generally toward the periphery of the cam 48. These arm ends are yieldably connected together by a torsion spring 88 having the coils thereof positioned about the shaft 8|, with one end I 8| thereof connected to the end 88 of the" arm 18 and its other end I82 connected with the .end 85 of the arm 18. The spring 88 is arranged to bias thearm ends 88 and 85 to an inner relative position defined by the engagement of the stop 84 against the side 8' of the recess 83, this inner position being shown in Fig. 2. A spring I83 is connected at one end to the mountin plate I and at its opposite end to the arm and 88 to apply-a pressure thereon in opposition to the pressure exerted by th spring 88, for a purpose to be later explained. By virtu of the above described construction and assembly of the arms 18 and 18 it is apparent that the movement of the end 88 of arm 18 correspondingly moves the opposite arm end 84 to in turn pivthe position of the cam follower 8| on the cam track 88 and the action thereon and on the arm end 85 of the springs 88 and I83.

As was noted the latch 85 on the arm end 85 is adapted to be releasably locked with the catch 88 on the leg member 15 of the crank or trip arm 88. The crank arm 88 is pivoted on axis means I84 supported from the top plate I5. The leg member I85 of this arm has a serrated or toothed inner edge I88 for operative engagement with a pawl member I 81 (Figs. 1 and 2) pivoted at the outer end of an arm I88, the inner end of which is connected with the ton arm 52 to provide for the arm I8 8 being pYvotally movable concurrently therewith. The pawl member I81 is under the tension of a spring I 88 which retains the pawl in position relative to the serrations I88. The pawl for a counter-clockwise movement of the arm I88 and henc'e of the tone arm 52, as viewed in Fig. 1, is free to ride or slide over the serrations I86. However, on movement of the arm I88 in an opposite direction, the pawl I81 engages one of the serrations I88 by virtue of the pawl having to pas through a dead-center position before itcan ride over the serrations when moving in such reversed direction. Retention of the leg member I85 in an engaging position with the pawl I81, and of the catch 88 in a position for locking with the latch 85 on the leg member 18 is provided by a coil spring III connected at one end to the leg 15 and at its opposite end to the mounting plate I5.

In the operation of the actuating arms 18 and 18 let it be assumed that the parts of the record changing means 'are in their relative positions shown in Fig. l, which positions occur when a record is being played, the arm ends 88 and 85 being extended apart to their outermost positions and the follower 8| being positioned in the cam recess 88. As the tone arm 52 moves inwardly on the record by virtue of itsfollowing engagement in the usual record grooves, the pivoted-arm I88 is moved upwardly to the left or in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1, with the pawl I81 riding over the serrations I88. .This movement of the arm I 88 continues until the tone arm 52 reaches the eccentric groove II 2 (Fig. 1) at the center of the record, the outward movement of the tone arm 52 as produced by this-eccentric groove moving the arm I88 in a reversed direction or to the right as viewed in Fig. 1, whereby the pawl I 81 engages a serration I88. This engagement of the pawl I81 with a serration moves the leg member 15 of the crank arm 86 in a clockwise direction also as viewed in Fig. l, to in turn trip the catch 88 to release the end 85 of the arm 18.

Since the arm ends 88 and 85 in their outermost extended positions are under an increased pressure by the spring 88 for movement to their innermost positions, the arm end 85, on release of the arm 18, moves in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, toward the arm end 88. Movement of the arm end in this direction occurs by virtue of the pressure on the arm end 88 by the spring I83 in opposition to ularly shaped body portion I29 and a pin 96' and spring 99; when the spring 99 pulls the arm ends 89 and 95 to their relative inner position where the lug 93 engages the side S of the recess 83. both arm ends 89 and 95 are concurrently moved in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1, by the spring I83. This counter-clockwise movement of the end 89 of the arm I9 in turn moves the opposite arm end 84 and the bracket I3 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 1, to frictionally engage the rubber gear I! with the rim 22 of the table I6. Thus arms I8 and I9 and gear I I, immediately on the release of the arm end 95 by the trip arm I5, are moved to their relative,positions shown in Fig. 2, with the follower 9| removed from the recess 98 and the gear IT in driven engagement with the table I8, to rotate the cam 49 in a direction indicated by the arrow. These relative positions are maintained during the operation of the record releasing means and tone arm in the manner above v fully described.

When the record changingoperation is substantially completed the segmental cam portion 99 is rotated into engagement with the roller 9I on the arm end 95. Since the cam track 92 which is operatively associated with the roller III is of circular contour, the arm end 89 is retained thereby in a substantially fixed position at all times except when the'roller 9I is opposite the recess 90. Thus with the arm end 89 maintained stationary by the cam 49, the arm end 95 is urged outwardly and away from the arm end 89 by the cam track 98 to a position at which the catch 89 on the trip arm "I5 releasably engages the latch 85 on the arm end 95. It is clear, of

course, that so long as the arm end 89 is retained stationary or in a substantially fixed position, this movement of the arm I8 occurs independently of any movement of the arm I9 so that the rubber gear II continues in engagement withthe table I8. This engaged position of the gearll and the extended positions of the arm ends 89 and 95 away from each other and on locking of the arm I8 by the trip arm I5 is clearly shown in Fig. 3. 1

Since the cam 49 is rotating during the locking of the arm I8, the reces 98 in the cam track 92 continues to be movedtoward the follower When the recess 9|) reaches a position opposite the follower III the tension in the spring 99, which has been increased by virtue of the moving of the arm ends 89 and 95 to their outermost positions, is sufiicient to overcome the opposed pressure by the spring I03 so that the arm end 99 is moved in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 1, and inwardly toward the arm end 95. This movement of the arm end 89 in turn pivots the arm end 88 and the bracket unit I3 in a clockwise directiomas viewed in Figs. 1 and 2, to disengage the rubber gear II from the turntable I6. On

lylodified forms of the actuating arms I8 and I9 are shown in Figs. 5 and 6, imwhichlik numa roller-9| at the ends fl and 89', respectively,

' of the long side thereof, these ends being offset from each other laterally of the body portion I29 by virtue of the bend I3I therein. The third end I39 of the arm I9 is formed with a mounting or hub portion I32 comprising a substantially L- shaped extension integral with the body portion I29 and having one leg I33 extending laterally therefrom, withits other leg I39 positioned inwardly over the end I38 in spaced parallel relation with the body portion. Aligned apertures I are provided in the body portion I29 and leg portion I34 to receive an axis member or pin 8| which is carried by the base plate I5. 7

Arm I8 is also of substantially flat form with a longitudinally extending body portion I31 having an end I39 thereof bent inwardly in spaced relation with the body portion I31 to provide a mounting portion or hub portion for the arm I8 similar to the hub portion on the arm I9. The body portion I31 and bent endl 38 are formed with laligned apertures I35 to receive the axis pin 8 In the assembly of the arms I8 and I9 the leg member I35 is positioned between the body portion I31 and bent end I36 of the arm I8 with the pin 8i" being extended through all of the apertures I35, the end 95' of the arm 18' being positioned outwardly from the body portion I29 such that the roller 91' on the end 95 is movable toward and away from the roller 91. A tension spring 99 is connected at one end to a lug I99 provided at the end 89 of the arm I9,

and at its opposite'end to a" lug I II formed at the end 95' of the arm I8". Spring 99 functions to continuously pull the arm ends 89' and 95. toward, aninnermost position defined by 2. lug or stop portion I92 punched or bumped out of the body portion I29 substantially centrally thereof, and in a position for engaging the-arm I8 at its bent end I36.

In the assembly of the arms I8 and I9 relative to the above described clutch means, the pin 88' is inserted within the slot 81 (Figs. 2 and 3) .with the spring I83 being connected to the arm end 99 by insertion of such end in an aperture I99 in the body portion I29. The end 95' of the arm I8 is integrally formed with a bent or catch portion 95 for operative engagement with the catch 89 of the crank arm 95. The operation of the arms I8 and I9 is similar in all respects to the operation of the arms I8 and 19 as has been fully explained.

Where it is desired to change or reject a record before it has been completed, or successively change-records without being played, record reject means are provided which includes an actuatingknob or button II 3 (Fig. 1) which is arbers primed refer to the corresponding'parts of 1 the arms IB'and IQ as above fully described. The arms I8 and I9 arestamped from sheet metal, the arm I9 having a substantially flat triangranged for manual operation in the top of the mounting plate I5 andin a position adjacent the motor starting switch I4. The actuating button I I3 is in operative engagement with 'an operating arm IIt having slots II6 therein for slidably supporting the armonpins I mounted for engagement with a pin l2! on the leg I05 of the crank arm 96. As shown in Fig. 1 the recordreject means is in an idle or rest position, the engagement of the spring leg member I23 with the lug portion I24 functioning to hold the upturned end I25 out of an engaging position with the pin I21. On actuation of the button 3 to operate the reject means, the operating arm H4 is moved downwardly, as viewed in Fig. 1, the engagement of the end I26 with the pin I21 pivotally moving the crank arm 96 in a clockwise direction, whereby to release the end 95 of the arm 18 from its locked engagement with the catch portion 80. Immediately on release of the arm 18, and regardless of the position of the tone arm-52 relative to the turntable IS, the record changing mechanism is operated in the manner above fully described. So long' as the reject button H3 is held in an actuated position, the

' catch 80 on the crank arm 96 will be out of a locking position with respect to the end 215 of the arm 18, and the record changing means will continue in operation. On release of the reject button H3, the operating arm H4 is moved upwardly as viewed in Fig. 1 by virtue of the action of the spring H5, so that the end I26 is out of an engaged position with the pin I21. The catch portion 80 is thus returned to an engaging position with the arm I8 by the spring Ill so that the cam 49 is stopped after such locking engagement is accomplished in the manner above described.

From a consideration of theabove description and drawings, it is seen that the invention provides for an improved-record changing means which is simple and rugged in construction, easily adjustable, and compactly assembled for supporting from the top plate l5 of the phonograph. The entire assembly is comprised of but relatively few parts, a single cam being used to operate the tone arm and record releasing unit. The releasing unit is in operative engagement with the cam 49 directly through the oscillating arm 25 so as to eliminate the plurality of transmission parts usually connecting these elements. The pivoted clutch means for operatively connecting the rotary cam 49 in driven engagement with a continuously rotating turntable I6 is selectively actuated by mechanical means con structed and assembled to operate positively and precisely with but a minimum of adjustment. Because of the positive actuation of the clutch means and its positive retention in an operated position, only a relatively small pivotal movement thereof is required to accurately control the rotation of the cam 49. With the rubber wheel 11 positioned beneath the turntable I6 for engagement with the inner periphery of the rim 22, and the cam and clutch means located below the mounting plate [5 the operating mechanism is removed entirely from exposed positions on the top (5 and adjacent the turntable I6, to in all provide for a neat and pleasing appearance of the phonograph.

Although the invention has been described with reference to a specific embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that modifications therein can be made which are within the full intended scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In record changing mechanism having rotary cam means and including a driven wheel with movable supporting means and driving wheel mechanically associated with said cam means, the means for moving said driven wheel into and out of engaging position with said driving means to control the rotation of said'cam means including a pair' of coaxially pivoted actuating members, one of said members being connected with said movable supporting means,

and each of said members having an end thereof associated with said cam means, with said one member on being pivotally moved in turn moving said driven wheel, tension means arranged to normally pull said two ends toward each other, other tension means connected with said one member to oppose the pressure applied thereon by said first tension means, and means including said cam means permitting relative movement between said two ends to provide for a selective movement of aid one member by said two tension means.

2. In record changing apparatus including a rotatable operating member mechanically associated with driven-means having movable sup porting means and driving means for said driven means, the means for moving said driven means into and out of engaging position with said driving means to selectively control the operation of said operating member including a pair of relatively movabl members each of which has an end portion associated with said operating member, and a third end portion on one of said pair of movable members connected with said supporting means and movable simultaneously with one of said two end portions, spring means arranged to move said two end portions tbward each other to an inner position, yieldable means connected with said one end portion for exerting a pressure thereon in opposition to said spring means, said yieldable means, when said two end portions are in their inner position, being adapted to pivot said one end portion in adirection which moves said third end portion to move said driven means into engaging position with said driving means, means including said operating member for relatively spreading said two end portions apart against the pressure of said spring means, with said one end portion being retained in a substantially fixedposition by said operating member to hold said driven means in said engaging position, and means releasably locking the other end portion in its spread position while said operating member permits said one end portion to be moved by said spring means in a direction which moves said third end portion to move said driven means out of said engaging position, and means for releasing said locking means on completion of the playing of a record.

3. In record changing mechanism having rotary cam means and driving means therefor, and including rotary means mechanically associated with said cam means and means supporting said rotary means for pivotal movement, the means for pivotally moving said rotary means into and out of engaging position withsaid driving means including a pivoted, actuating member having one end connected with the pivotal supporting means for aid rotary means, and its opposite end associated with said cam means, means pivotally supporting said actuating member intermediate said two ends so that pivotal movement of said opposite end in turn pivots said one end to pivotally move said rotary means, and spring means in engagement with said actuating member and cooperating with said cam means'to semeans for said driven wheel, with said driven 76 v ly move said opposit nd'to provide for a cludinga pair of relatively movablemembers;

andtensi'on means in engagement with said movable members cooperating with said cam means to move said mounting means.

5. Record changing apparatus as defined in claim 4 with said tension means including first spring means in engagement with one of said movable members, and econd spring means common to said pair of movable members, said second spring means acting to yieldably pull said pair of movable members toward each other.

6. In record changing apparatus including rotary cam means and having an axially mounted driving turntable and a driven wheel with mounting means therefor, mechanical means 'for selectively actuating said mounting means to move said wheel into and out of engagement with said driving turntable, with said mechanical means constituting the sole means for moving said mounting means and including a pair o relatively movable pivoted arm members asso ciated with said cam means and driven wheel mounting means, a common axis for said pair of arm members parallel to the axis of said turntable, and tension means in engagement with said arm members, with said tension means cooperating with said rotary cam means to pivotally move said arm members and actuate said mounting means. a

7. A record changing apparatus having rotary cam means and a driving turntable, the means for selectively connecting said cam means and driving turntable including a driven wheel, mounting means for said wheel, means associated with said cam means and mounting. means for moving said mounting means and said wheel therewith including a pair of relatively movable arms, said arms being of substantially flat form, with one of said arms having a body portion with a mounting portion at one end thereof comprising an' L-shaped extension having one leg thereof positioned over said one end, with said body portion having a lug extending laterally therefrom, and the'other of said arms having a body portion with one end thereof bent over in spaced relation with the body portion of said one arm to provide a mounting portion on said other arm corresponding substantially to the mounting portion on said one arm, said one leg on said first arm being arranged between the bent end' and body portion of said second arm, with said bent end in an engaging position with said lug, axis means common to said two mounting portions, with pivotal movement of said two arms toward each other being defined by the engagement of said bent end with said lug, and tension means in engagement with said movable arms cooperating with said cam means to actuate said arms and move said mounting means.

8. In record changing apparatus including a driving turntable and cam means with said two elements being axially mounted with the axes thereof in parallel relation, the means for selectively operating said cam means includin a, driven wheel associated with said cam means, -means pivotally supportin said wheel, means for actuating said supporting means to pivotaliy move said driven wheel into and out of engagementwith said turntable including a pair of relatively movable arms associated with saidcam means, with one of said arms being connected with said supporting means, axis means common to said pair of arms and parallel to the axes of said turntable and cam means, and spring means inengagement with'said pair of arms, said spring means, cam means, and other of said arm members cooperating to selectively pivot said one arm to actuate said supporting means.

9. In record changing apparatus having rotary operating means and driving means therefor, and

including movably supported rotary driven means operatively connected with said operating means,

the means providing for a rotation of said op- V erating means through substantially one complete revolution including a pair of pivoted members for moving said driven means into and out of engaging position with said driving means, axis means common to said two pivoted members for pivotally supporting the same, one of said pivoted members having a connector portion connected with said driven means to move the same, and an end portion associated with said operating means, and the other of said pivoted members having one end portion associated with said operating means, and spring means in engagement with said pivoted members cooperating with said operating means to move'said driven means.

10. In record changing apparatus having rotary operating means and driving means there- .means arranged to move said two angularly spaced arm ends toward each other, means including said rotary operating means for spreading said two arm ends apart, means. releasably holding the one end of said second arm in a spread apart position while said rotary operating means permits the opposite end of said first arm to be moved in one direction by said spring means, the one end of said first arm in turn moving said driven means out of an engaging position with said driving means, means for releasing said second'arm from said holding means when a record has been played so that said two arm ends may be moved together by said spring means, and yieldable means concurrently moving said two arm ends, and moving the one end of said first arm in an opposite direction to in turn move said driven means into an engaging position with said driving means.

11. In record changing apparatus having rotary cam means and a driving turntable with an axially extending rim portion, the means for selectively operating said cam means from said driving turntable including a driven wheel positioned below said turntable and inwardly of said rim portion, mounting means for said wheel, and

means associated with said cam means for moving said mounting means and said wheel therewith relative to said rim portion including a pair of relatively movable members, and tension means in engagement with said movable/members cooperating with. said cam means to move said mounting means.

12. In record changing apparatus having an operating member, and including a driving turntable and a movably supported driven wheel associated with said operating member, the means for selectively moving said wheel into and out of driven engagement with said turntable including a pair of coaxially supported pivoted members, each of which said pivoted members 10 .has an end portion associated with said operating member, spring means acting on said pivoted members to move said end portions toward each other to an inner position, and other spring means for concurrently moving said pivoted members when said end portions are in said inner position, with said two spring means cooperating with said operating member to move said driven wheel.

RUDOLPH A. BECWAR. 

